Canberra's coronavirus outbreak has escalated to 45 cases, with 17 new infections recorded in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Chief Minister Andrew Barr has warned that case numbers are likely to increase during the three-week lockdown, which is currently scheduled to end on September 2.
Mr Barr urged residents to stay at home and announced a compliance crackdown on essential businesses that are allowed to remain open. 'We are requiring businesses to take all reasonable steps to ensure that anyone who enters their business gets what they need, and leaves promptly,' he told reporters on Tuesday. He expressed concern about people loitering around retail outlets without adequate social distancing.
The territory conducted 7,380 tests on Monday. Among the new cases, 37 are linked to existing infections, while eight remain under investigation, including the ACT's first case in 13 months. No cases are currently in hospital.
Exposure sites include the Canberra Institute of Technology Reid and Bruce campuses, attended by three infectious individuals. Transmission has been confirmed at six settings, including Fiction nightclub (linked to six cases), Lyneham High School (four cases), Gold Creek School (three cases), and Downer Community Centre (three cases). No additional cases have emerged at Tuggeranong's Greenway Views village, where an infected aged care worker worked three shifts.
Health authorities are prioritising close contacts for testing amid long queues, with more than 7,500 people in quarantine. The outbreak has cast doubt on the return of federal parliament next Monday, with Mr Barr urging Prime Minister Scott Morrison to consider postponing it. Parliament House is classified as an essential workplace but must operate under tight restrictions.
